Field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a suspended ceiling system, and more particular
to such a suspended ceiling system comprising a polygon-shaped ceiling tile and a
grid of profiles supporting the ceiling tile.
Technical background
[0002] Ceilings being suspended from a ceiling structure, which henceforward is referred
to as suspended ceilings, can be installed in many different types of buildings for
various reasons. Examples of reasons are to absorb sound, to reflect light, to lower
the ceiling height or to conceal installations such as cable arrangements, ventilation
equipment, lighting installations and other devices arranged in the space between
the suspended ceiling and the ceiling structure of a building.
[0003] A common type of suspension is to use a grid of profiles for suspending a plurality
of ceiling tiles. The grid of profiles is suspended from a ceiling structure. The
profiles are arranged to support and thus uphold the ceiling tiles. The profiles can
for example be formed by T-beams with laterally extending flanges, wherein the ceiling
tiles are placed so that the flanges support the edges of the ceiling tiles. The ceiling
tiles are thus embedded in the grid of profiles.
[0004] As an alternative to suspension of ceiling tiles by means of a grid of profiles,
free-hanging units of ceiling tiles forming ceiling islands are one way of creating
acceptable acoustic environments. The ceiling tiles may have sound-absorbing properties.
An advantage with free-hanging ceiling tiles are that they often are regarded as more
esthetically appealing due to their exposed edges and floating impression, when compared
to ceiling tiles being embedded in a grid of profiles.
[0005] Free-hanging ceiling tiles can be installed in large, noisy environments such as
open-plan areas, restaurants, shopping centers etc., close to working areas or other
locations where acoustical treatment is needed in order to achieve suitable conditions
for communication, concentration or recovery.
[0006] Free-hanging units can also be used as a complement to an overall suspended ceiling
in order to improve the acoustic environment with a reduction of the sound level and
a diminishing of sound as distance increases.
[0007] Free-hanging ceiling tiles may be mounted by means of suspension members connecting
the ceiling tiles to a ceiling structure. This mounting causes the free-hanging ceiling
tiles to be sensitive to air flows which may set the ceiling tiles in motion.
[0008] The ceiling tiles may be arranged according to various designs depending on the application.
In order to achieve a particular ceiling arrangement by means of free-hanging tiles
suspended by suspension members, a precise and accurate mounting process is required.
Each ceiling tile, typically being suspended by four suspension members, needs to
be aligned with adjacent ceiling tiles in order to achieve the desired design. This
is particular important for designs in which it is easy for the human eye to spot
deviations, which makes the ceiling appear defective and/or incorrectly mounted. An
example of such a sensitive design is ceiling tiles being arrange adjacent to each
other and distanced with an even distance. Even a tiny deviation from this distance
makes the ceiling tiles appear slanted in relation to each other. An esthetically
appealing configuration is to let the distance be equal to the thickness of the ceiling
tile. Thus, the distance may be quite small which makes a deviation even more easy
to spot. Small distances between the ceiling tiles are also desirable in order to
increase the acoustic performance, i.e. the sound absorption capacity, of the ceiling.
In this case, a high cover ratio of the ceiling tiles is desired which is achieved
by having a small distance between the ceiling tiles.
[0009] Consequently, when designing a suspended ceiling system, one has to choose between
embedded ceiling tiles providing an easier alignment and a more stable system, and
free-hanging ceiling tiles providing a more appealing esthetical appearance and higher
design freedom.
[0010] EP2902559 discloses a ceiling system comprising a grid of profiles having a plurality of fixing
points, ceiling tiles each provided with attachment points on a rear surface thereof
and connections member each connected to a fixing point of grid of profiles, wherein
the connection members are releasably connectable to the attachment points in response
to pushing the ceiling tiles in an upward direction. Hereby a ceiling system is provided
with a high degree of design freedom having the controlled and stable mounting enabled
by the grid of profiles and at the same time the esthetic value of free-hanging ceiling
tiles. However, in some cases the ceiling system may be associated with an increased
cost and may be time consuming to install.
[0011] Thus, there is a need for an improved way of mounting ceiling tiles.
Summary of the invention
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement over the above
described techniques and prior art.
[0013] A particular object is to provide a suspended ceiling system enabling simple and
efficient mounting of the ceiling tiles in an improved manner.
[0014] A it also an object to provide such a suspended ceiling system having the aesthetic
value of a group or cluster of free-hanging ceiling tiles arranged with small gaps
therebetween.
[0015] To achieve at least one of the above objects and also other objects that will be
evident from the following description, a suspended ceiling system having the features
defined in claim 1 is provided according to the present invention. Preferred embodiments
will be evident from the dependent claims.
[0016] More specifically, there is provided according to the present invention a suspended
ceiling system comprising a polygon-shaped ceiling tile and a grid of profiles supporting
the ceiling tile. The grid of profiles defines a frame in which the polygon-shaped
ceiling tile is arranged and supported by supporting flanges of the grid of profiles.
The polygon-shaped ceiling tile comprises at front surface, a rear surface and at
least three side edges extending between the front surface and the rear surface, wherein
a side edge portion associated with each side edge comprises a top tongue, a bottom
tongue, and a groove extending along the side edge portion and separating the top
tongue and the bottom tongue. The top tongues comprise engagement surfaces resting
on the supporting flanges of the grid of profiles. A distal end of each top tongue
extends beyond a distal end of the bottom tongue such that a bottom section of the
polygon-shaped ceiling tile comprising the bottom tongue and the groove of each side
edge portion is insertable from above into the frame defined by the grid of profiles.
[0017] Hereby, a suspended ceiling enabling simple and efficient mounting of the ceiling
tiles is provided.
[0018] The provision of top tongues having distal ends extending beyond the distal ends
of the associated bottom tongues enables insertion from above of the ceiling tile
into the frame of the grid of profiles such that that the bottom portion of the ceiling
tile is passed through the frame and such that the engagement surfaces of the top
tongues are placed on the supporting flanges.
[0019] The provision of a groove extending along each side edge portion and separating the
top tongue from the bottom tongue enables the formation of a shadowed void extending
along the side edges and thus encircling the front surface of the ceiling tile. Hereby,
the ceiling tile may have the aesthetic value of a group or cluster of free-hanging
ceiling tiles arranged with small gaps therebetween while still being installed in
a frame of a grid of profiles.
[0020] Each frame of the grid of profiles is configured for reception of one ceiling tile.
[0021] The ceiling tile is made of a compressed mineral fibre material, such as glass wool.
A ceiling tile made of a porous material such as a compressed mineral fibre material
may have acoustical absorbing properties.
[0022] According to an embodiment, the the front surface of the polygon-shaped ceiling tile
may be provided with a first coating having a light reflectance above 0,8. By the
provision of a first coating on the front surface having a light reflectance above
0,8 (for instance a white paint) the contrast between the front surface and the shadowed
void may be enhanced, which will increase the impression of the ceiling tile being
free-hanging.
[0023] By "light reflectance" is in this application meant the proportion of incident visible
light being reflected. Thus, a front surface provided with a coating having a light
reflectance above 0,8 will reflect above 80% of the incident visible light.
[0024] Each side edge portion may comprise a side edge surface adjoining the front surface
and being provided with a first coating having a light reflectance above 0,8. By providing
the side edges surfaces adjoining the front surface of the ceiling tile with the first
coating, the thickness of the perceived free-hanging ceiling tile may correspond to
the thickness of the bottom tongue.
[0025] According to another embodiment, each side edge portion may comprise a side edge
surface provided with a second coating having a light reflectance below 0,2. By providing
some or all side edge surfaces with a second coating having a light reflectance below
0,2, such as a black paint, the shadowing effect of the void may be enhanced, thereby
increasing the impression of the ceiling tile to be free-hanging.
[0026] According to yet another embodiment, the front surface may be provided with a first
coating and each side edge portion may comprise a side edge surface provided with
a second coating, wherein the difference between the light reflectance of first coating
of the front surface and the light reflectance of the second coating of the side edge
surface is at least 0,5. Hereby the shadowing effect of the void may be further enhanced.
[0027] Each supporting flange of the grid of profiles may comprise a bottom surface provided
with a third coating having a light reflectance below 0,2. By providing the bottom
surfaces of the supporting flanges with a third coating having a light reflectance
below 0,2, such as black paint, the shadowing effect of the void may be further enhanced.
[0028] Each groove may have a height H in the range of 5-40 mm.
[0029] Each bottom tongue may have a thickness T in the range of 5-20 mm.
[0030] The suspended ceiling system may further comprise a plurality of polygon-shaped ceiling
tiles, wherein the grid of profiles defines a plurality of frames in which the plurality
of polygon-shaped ceiling tiles may be arranged.
[0031] The polygon-shaped ceiling tile may be rectangular. Other shapes are conceivable,
such as triangular, pentagonal or hexagonal shape.
[0032] The grid of profiles may comprise profiles having an inverted T-shape.
[0033] According to yet another embodiment, a lighting strip may be arranged in one of the
grooves. By arranging a lighting strip in one or more of the grooves, the suspended
ceiling may be arranged for indirect lighting of a room.
[0034] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their
ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein.
All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]" are to
be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device,
component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any
method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed,
unless explicitly stated.
Brief description of the drawings
[0035] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present
invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting
detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference
to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar
elements, wherein:
Fig. 1 a is a perspective view from above illustrating an embodiment of a ceiling
tile.
Fig. 1b is a perspective view from below illustrating the ceiling tile shown in Fig.
1a.
Fig. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating installation of a suspended ceiling system
comprising ceiling tiles and a grid of profiles.
Figs. 3a-b are perspective views from above illustrating installation of the ceiling
tile of Fig.1 in a frame of a grid of profiles.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view from below illustrating an embodiment of a suspended
ceiling system.
Fig. 5a is a perspective view from above illustrating another embodiment of a ceiling
tile.
Fig. 5b is a perspective view from below illustrating the ceiling tile shown in Fig.
5a.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view from below illustrating another embodiment of a suspended
ceiling system.
Description of embodiments
[0036] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention
are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should
not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments
are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the
invention to the skilled person.
[0037] Figs. 1a-b illustrate a ceiling tile 1 for a suspended ceiling system in accordance
with the present invention.
[0038] The ceiling tile may be an acoustical ceiling tile with sound absorbing properties.
The ceiling tile may have a porous structure and may be made of a compressed fibre
material, such as glass wool or stone wool.
[0039] The ceiling tile 10 has a polygonal shape and comprises a front surface 11, a rear
surface 12 and at least three side edges 13 extending between the front surface 11
and the rear surface 12. In the shown embodiment, the ceiling tile 10 is rectangular
and thus comprises four side edges 13. It is understood that the polygon-shaped ceiling
tile may have other shapes, such as a triangular, pentagonal or hexagonal shape.
[0040] A side edge portion associated with each side edge 13 of the ceiling tile 10 comprises
a top tongue 14, a bottom tongue 15, and a groove extending 16 along the side edge
13 and separating the top tongue 14 and the bottom tongue 15.
[0041] The provision of a side edge portion comprising a top tongue 14, a bottom tongue
15 and a groove 16 separating the two tongues 14, 15 results in the formation of a
plurality of side edge surfaces 17.
[0042] Each side edge portion comprises a side edge surface 17 forming an engagement surface
18 which is associated with the top tongue 14 and which is faced in the same direction
as the front surface 11.
[0043] The bottom tongue 15 may have a thickness T in the range of 5-20 mm.
[0044] The groove 16 may have a height H in the range of 5-40 mm.
[0045] The front surface 11 of the ceiling 10 tile is provided with a first coating such
as paint.
[0046] Each side edge portion may comprise a side edge surface 17 provided with a second
coating such as paint.
[0047] In the shown embodiment, all side edge surfaces 17 of each side edge portion but
the side edge surface 17' adjoining the front surface 11 are provided with the second
coating.
[0048] The side edge surfaces 17' adjoining the front surface 11 are provided with the first
coating.
[0049] Alternatively, all side edge surfaces 17 of each side edge portion may be provided
with the second coating.
[0050] The first coating may have a light reflectance above 0,8.
[0051] The second coating may have a light reflectance below 0,2.
[0052] The difference in light reflectance of the first coating and the second coating may
be at least 0,5.
[0053] Fig. 2, to which reference now also is made, illustrates installation of a suspended
ceiling system 50 comprising ceiling tiles 10 of the type described above and a grid
of profiles 30.
[0054] The grid of profiles 30 is configured to be supported by a structural ceiling of
a room.
[0055] The grid of profiles 30 defines a plurality of frames 31 in which the ceiling tiles
10 are arranged. The ceiling tiles 10 are supported by supporting flanges 32 of the
grid of profiles 30.
[0056] More specifically, the supporting flanges are configured to support the ceiling tiles
10 via the engagement surfaces 18 of the top tongues 14 of the ceiling tiles 10.
[0057] Each supporting flange 32 may comprise a bottom surface 33 provided with a third
coating such as paint. The third coating may have a light reflectance below 0,2.
[0058] In the shown embodiment, the grid of profiles 30 comprises a plurality of primary
profiles extending in parallel and having an inverted T-shape with an upstanding web
34 and two supporting flanges 32 extending laterally in opposite directions. The free
end of the web 34 may be provided with a reinforcing bulb (not shown).
[0059] The grid of profiles further comprises a plurality of secondary profiles (not shown)
extending transversely to the primary profiles such that the frames are defined by
the primary profiles and the secondary profiles.
[0060] Each frame 31 is configured for reception of a single ceiling tile.
[0061] For installation of a ceiling tile 10 in a frame 31 of the grid of profiles 30, the
ceiling tile 10 is inserted from above into the frame 31 such that the engagement
surface 18 of each top tongue 14 comes to rest against an associated supporting flange
32 of the grid of profiles 30, as evident from the detached enlargement in Fig. 2.
[0062] In the figure, the ceiling tile 10 to the left is being lowered from above into a
frame 31 defined between the left primary profile and the middle primary profile,
and the ceiling tile 10 to the right is arranged in a frame defined between the middle
primary profile and the right primary profile.
[0063] A distal end 19 of each top tongue 14 extends beyond a distal end 20 of the associated
bottom tongue 15 such that a bottom section 21 of the polygon-shaped ceiling tile
10 comprising the bottom tongue 15 and the groove 16 of each side edge portion is
insertable from above into and through the frame 31 defined by the grid of profiles
30. Thus, when the ceiling tile 10 is lowered from above into the frame 31, the bottom
section 21 of the ceiling tile 10 will pass through the frame 31 such that the engagement
surfaces 18 of the top togues 14 may be brought into engagement with the supporting
flanges 32 of the grid of profiles 30 for support of the ceiling tile 10.
[0064] For the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the ceiling tile 10 has a first width W1 as measured
between the distal ends 19 of the opposing pair of top tongues 14 and a second width
W2 as measured between the distal ends 20 of the opposing pair of bottom tongues 15.
Further, distal ends 35 of two supporting flanges 32 facing each other and each associated
with a respecive primary profile are separated by a distance D. The first width W1
of the ceiling tile 10 is greater than the distance D and the second width W2 of the
ceiling tile 10 is smaller than the distance D.
[0065] Fig. 3a-b illustrate the installation of a rectangular ceiling tile 10. A grid of
profiles 30 comprises supporting flanges 32 defining a rectangular frame 31. For sake
of clarity, the webs associated with the supporting flanges 32 have been left out.
[0066] In Fig 3a, the ceiling tile 10 is positioned above the frame 31. As evident from
the figure, each top tongue 14 has a distal end 19 extending beyond the distal end
20 of the associated bottom tongue 15 whereby the ceiling tile 10 may be lowered into
the frame 31 such that the bottom section 21 of the ceiling tile 10 may be inserted
and passed through the frame 31 until the engagement surfaces 18 of the top tongues
14 come to rest against the supporting flanges 31, as illustrated in Fig 3b.
[0067] Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the suspended ceiling system 50 comprising rectangular
ceiling tiles 10 installed in frames 31 defined by a grid of profiles 30. For sake
of clarity, only the supporting flanges 32 of the grid of profiles 30 are illustrated.
[0068] The ceiling tiles have been installed in accordance with what has been described
above, i.e. by inserting the ceiling tiles 10 from above into the frames 31 of the
grid of profiles 30.
[0069] The design of a ceiling tile 10 with side edge portions each comprising a top tongue
14 and a bottom tongue 15 separated by a groove 16 extending along the associated
side edge 13, wherein a distal end 19 of each top tongue 14 extends beyond a distal
end 20 of the bottom tongue 15, results in a ceiling tile 10 which is easy to install
in a frame 31 of a grid of profiles 30. The ceiling tile 10 is simply inserted from
above into the frame 31 such that the bottom section 21 of the ceiling tile 10 is
passed through the frame 31 and the engagement surfaces 18 of the top tongues 15 come
to rest on the supporting flanges 32.
[0070] The groove 16 extending along each side edge portion and separating the top tongue
14 from the bottom tongue 15 enables the formation of a shadowed void extending along
the side edges and thus encircling the front surface of each ceiling tile. Hereby,
an impression is created of the ceiling tiles being arranged in a free-hanging manner
while still being installed in frames of a grid of profiles.
[0071] The fact that the front surface 11 of the ceiling tile 10 and, in the shown embodiment,
also the adjoining side edge surfaces 17' of the side edge portions, are provided
with a first coating and the remaining side edge surfaces 17 are provided with a second
coating makes it possible to further enhance the impression of the ceiling tiles 10
to be installed in a free-hanging manner, despite the fact that the ceiling tiles
10 are in fact arranged in a frame 31 of a gird of profiles 30.
[0072] The impression is enhanced by ensuring that the difference in light reflectance between
the first coating and the second is at least 0,5. The first coating may have a light
reflectance above 0,8 and the second coating may have a light reflectance below 0,2.
The first coating may be a white paint and the second coating may be a black paint.
[0073] In the shown embodiment, tt is thus the part of the ceiling tile provided with the
first coating which form the part of the ceiling tile appearing to be installed in
a free-hanging manner.
[0074] The bottom surface 33 of each supporting flange 32 may be provided with a third coating
having a light reflectance below 0,2.
[0075] In Figs. 5a, b another embodiment of the ceiling tile 10 is disclosed. In this case,
the polygon-shaped ceiling tile 10 is triangular. The ceiling tile 10 thus comprise
a front surface 11, a rear surface 12 and three side edges 13 extending between the
front surface 11 and the rear surface 12. Like before, a side edge portion associated
with each side edge 13 comprises a top 14 tongue provided with an engagement surface
18, a bottom tongue 15 and a groove 16 extending along the side edge 13 and separating
the top tongue 14 and the bottom tongue 15. Also, the distal end 19 of each top tongue
14 extends beyond the distal end 20 of the bottom tongue 15. Thus, the ceiling tile
10 is insertable from above into a frame 31 of a grid of profiles 30 such that the
bottom section 21 of the ceiling tile 10 is passed through the frame 31 and the engagement
surfaces 18 of the top tongues 14 come to rest on the supporting flanges 32. A suspended
ceiling system 50 comprising triangular ceiling tiles 10 of this type is illustrated
in Fig. 6.
[0076] As evident from the figures, in the shown embodiment, it is only the front surface
11 of the ceiling tile 10 that is provided with the first coating and all side edge
surfaces 17 of each side edge portion is provided with the second coating. Such a
configuration will cerate an impression of free-hanging sheets.
[0077] It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments
shown.
[0078] For instance, the groove may be shaped in any desired manner, such as V- or U-shaped.
The purpose of the groove is to create a void which enhances the impression of a free-hanging
installation.
[0079] Also, the groove may be utilized for additional installation. For instance, a lighting
strip may be arranged in the groove.
[0080] A suspended ceiling system comprising ceiling tiles provided with lighting strips
in some or all the grooves may still be perceived as arranged in a free-hanging manner.
However, for a ceiling tile provided with a lighting strip in each or all grooves,
the void formed by each groove comprising a lighting strip will not be shadowed but
illuminated, and as long as the contrast between front surface of each ceiling tile
and the void is sufficiently strong, the impression of a free-hanging ceiling tile
may be maintained.
[0081] Further, in the embodiments described above, the side edge surfaces forming the distal
ends of the top and the bottom tongues extend have an extension perpendicular to the
front and rear surfaces of the ceiling tile. It is understood that these side edge
surfaces may be formed differently.
[0082] Several modifications and variations are thus conceivable within the scope of the
invention which thus is exclusively defined by the appended claims.
1. A suspended ceiling system comprising a polygon-shaped ceiling tile (10) and a grid
of profiles (30) supporting the ceiling tile (10),
the grid of profiles (30) defining a frame (31) in which the polygon-shaped ceiling
tile (10) is arranged and supported by supporting flanges (32) of the grid of profiles
(30),
the polygon-shaped ceiling tile (10) comprising at front surface (11), a rear surface
(12) and at least three side edges (13) extending between the front surface (11) and
the rear surface (12),
wherein a side edge portion associated with each side edge (13) comprises a top tongue
(14), a bottom tongue (15), and a groove (16) extending along the side edge portion
and separating the top tongue (14) and the bottom tongue (15),
wherein the top tongues (14) comprise engagement surfaces (18) resting on the supporting
flanges (32) of the grid of profiles (30), and
wherein a distal end (19) of each top tongue (14) extends beyond a distal end (20)
of the bottom tongue (15) such that a bottom section (21) of the polygon-shaped ceiling
tile (10) comprising the bottom tongue (15) and the groove (16) of each side edge
portion is insertable from above into the frame (31) defined by the grid of profiles
(30).
2. The suspended ceiling system according to claim 1, wherein the ceiling tile (10)
is made of a compressed mineral fibre material, such as glass wool.
3. The suspended ceiling system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the front
surface (11) of the polygon-shaped ceiling tile (10) is provided with a first coating
having a light reflectance above 0,8.
4. The suspended ceiling system according to claim 3, wherein each side edge portion
comprises a side edge surface (17') adjoining the front surface (11) and being provided
with a first coating having a light reflectance above 0,8.
5. The suspended ceiling system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
each side edge portion comprises a side edge surface (17) provided with a second coating
having a light reflectance below 0,2.
7. The suspended ceiling system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein all side
edge surfaces (17) of each side edge portion are provided with a second coating having
a light reflectance below 0,2.
8. The suspended ceiling system according to any one of the preceding claims, in which
the front surface (11) is provided with a first coating and each side edge portion
comprises a side edge surface (17) provided with a second coating, wherein the difference
between the light reflectance of first coating of the front surface (11) and the light
reflectance of the second coating of the side edge surface (17) is at least 0,5.
7. The suspended ceiling system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
each supporting flange (32) comprises a bottom surface (33) provided with a third
coating having a light reflectance below 0,2.
9. The suspended ceiling system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
each groove (16) has a height H in the range of 5-40 mm.
10. The suspended ceiling system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
each bottom tongue (15) has a thickness T in the range of 5-20 mm.
11. The suspended ceiling system according to any one of the preceding claims, further
comprising a plurality of polygon-shaped ceiling tiles (10), wherein the grid of profiles
(30) defines a plurality of frames (31) in which the plurality of polygon-shaped ceiling
tiles (10) is arranged.
12. The suspended ceiling system according to any one of the preceding claims, in which
the polygon-shaped ceiling tile (10) is rectangular.
13. The suspended ceiling system according to any one of the preceding claims, in which
the grid of profiles (30) comprises profiles having an inverted T-shape.
14. The suspended ceiling system according to any one of the preceding claims, further
comprising a lighting strip arranged in the groove (16).